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Sauces, pastes & condiments · Condiments

Prepared horseradish

Grated horseradish root in vinegar, a sinus-clearing condiment for roast beef, smoked fish and beetroot.

Also called: horseradish, grated horseradish, chrzan, křen, hrean

Around the world: chrzan (pl) · křen (cs) · hrean (ro) · khren (ru)

4 recipes with it

Read the full spice guide: flavour, history and how to use it

What it is

Prepared horseradish is the white root of Armoracia rusticana, finely grated and mixed with vinegar and salt; creamed horseradish adds cream or mayonnaise. Its heat comes from mustard-like compounds released when grated, and it is closely related to mustard and wasabi. Many 'wasabi' pastes are actually coloured horseradish.

Armoracia rusticana

How it’s used

  • Served with roast beef and steak
  • Smoked fish, gravlax and herring
  • Cocktail sauce and Bloody Marys
  • Mixed into mashed potato or beetroot relish (chrzan, hren)
  • Easter and Passover tables in Eastern Europe

Characteristics

Taste
Sharp, hot and pungent, felt in the nose more than the tongue.
Aroma
Pungent, eye-watering.
Texture
Moist, finely shredded.
Appearance
Creamy white (pink if mixed with beetroot).
When cooked
Heat fades quickly with cooking and air exposure; add at the end.
Sold as
paste, fresh
Cooking uses
Usually eaten raw, Mainly a seasoning

Storage

Refrigerated. Refrigerate after opening; it loses heat and darkens over weeks.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions. May contain Sulphites, Mustard, Milk, Eggs — check the label.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free (check label)
  • Egg-free (check label)
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Creamed versions may contain milk, eggs, mustard or sulphites. Strong fumes when grating fresh root; work in a ventilated space.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
48 kcal
Protein
1.18 g
Carbohydrate
11.29 g
Fat
0.69 g
Fibre
3.3 g
Sugars
7.99 g

USDA FoodData Central: Horseradish, prepared.

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

  • Wasabi paste — Usually horseradish-based anyway; use less.
  • Prepared mustard — Hot English mustard; different flavour.

Related ingredients

Recipes with prepared horseradish

More condiments